Okaloosa County BOCC — September 2, 2014 — July22,2014 budgetworkshop — reading text

officers to tell people to stay off the dunes and for turtle watch. He said Walton County is funding Code Enforcement Officers to go to hotels and tell people how many can be ina room, Mr. Parisot commented if Okaloosa County becomes the test case, “so be it.” Mr. Boyles said he is willing to test the waters on this and asked the Sheriff if he has an attorney on staff who can provide an opinion on this issue. Sheriff Ashley replied in the affirmative. Mr. Stewart stated specialized equipment for patrolling the beach area is a different animal. He said there is a line there, saying there are specialized functions which can be funded by tourist development dollars. Mr. Windes stated there needs to be language which will please Mr. Stewart and not cross July 22, 2014 -1i- Minute Book 71, Page 167 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners the line. Sheriff Ashley stated they will draft something and get an attorney’s opinion. Discussion ensued regarding the $350,000 worth of capital needs the Sheriff mentioned. Sheriff Ashley stated they are constantly looking for funds to covers costs. He said a possible source would be the $1.3 Million encumbered for compensated absences. He said the amount being held is high and he would like to unencumber some of those funds ($750,000) at the end of the year. Mr. Amunds brought up the Board’s policy on the use of thumb drives. He said if the information had been submitted in advance he would have been prepared to ask questions. Mr. Amunds was of the opinion if we are not going to go by this policy, then it should be eliminated. Mr. Boyles echoed Mr. Amunds comments and stated staff did not present’ this information on compensated absences to the commissioners. Mr. Windes said the policy will be addressed on the agenda of a regular meeting. Mr. Padgett stated the use of some of these funds for vested compensated absences could be a win for everyone. Mr. Windes asked if the Board could approve use of these funds by consensus contingent upon a letter from the External Auditor (Angela Balent) concurring with the use. Mr. Stewart said the item should be considered at a regular meeting. Mr. Amunds said it is his understanding that once the funds are unencumbered they will not come back to the Board but the Sheriff will be requesting they be reallocated to his budget for next year. Mr. Padgett said he has spoken with Ms. Balent about that and she recommends it be done. Mr. Harris asked if the Board could be more emphatic about the use of TDC funds to make sure we keep moving forward. He requested not just talk but some action. Mr. Windes stated this issue could go back to the TDC. Mr. Harris again said instead of talking let’s do something about it. Mr. Stewart suggested the uses be specified. He said we can work together to find middle ground and still provide for the Sheriff's needs. Mr. Windes asked if there are any objections to going forward in this direction. No objections were voiced. Mr. Parisot asked about setting a public hearing to amend the TDC ordinance. Mr. Stewart commented that we cannot amend the July 22, 2014 -12- Minute Book 71, Page 168 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners ordinance until we know what we are talking about. Mr. Windes directed that when the verbiage is drafted, to also provide a timeline to complete the process. Discussion returned to the encumbered compensated absence funds. Upon inquiry by Mr. Boyles, Mr. Stewart stated those will be Board funds. Mr. Boyles asked if there is room for negotiations, Sheriff Ashley replied there is a gentlemen's agreement. Mr. Stewart stated the Board is under no obligation to spend those returned funds for any particular reason. He said there may be a gentlemen’s agreement in place but the money is surplus funds under the county’s umbrella and to be used at the county’s discretion. Sheriff Ashley stated he does not believe he is obligated to unencumber those funds. Mr. Boyles asked if the Sheriff can reallocate them. Mr. Padgett replied the auditor says he can. Mr. Harris remarked a long-term source of funding must be found. RESCHEDULING OF BUDGET WORKSHOP Mr. Parisot stated currently a budget workshop is set for August 7, at 1 p.m. in Crestview. He said he has a conflict with a Gulf Consortium meeting and noted Mr. Boyles may also have a conflict because of a FAC Board of Directors meeting. Mr. Boyles acknowledged the conflict but stated he will attend the county's budget workshop. Mr. Parisot suggested rescheduling the August 7 workshop to either July 31 or August 4 at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Boyles stated August 4 will work better for him. It was the consensus of the Board to reschedule the August 7 workshop to Monday, August 4 at 6:00 p.m. in Crestview. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. ADJOURNMENT There being nothing further to be discussed, the workshop was adjourned at 4:30 p.m. DON W. HOWARD CHARLES K. WINDES, JR., CHAIRMAN CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (These minutes were transcribed by Teresa Ward.) July 22, 2014 -13- Minute Book 71, Page 169 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners